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Problems originate above Green
By Scott Bordow, Tribune Columnist
January 1, 2007
SAN DIEGO - The seats at the front of the Cardinals’ team bus were empty. Michael Bidwill and his father, Bill, already had left Qualcomm Stadium after the Cardinals’ season-ending 27-20 loss to the San Diego Chargers and were headed back to Tempe on Michael’s private plane.
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Arizona Cardinals / NFL
Their first order of business this morning: Fire coach Dennis Green.
There’s little doubt that Green is gone. His words and body language the past couple of weeks suggest he already knows his fate.
The Bidwills seem to already have made up their mind, as well.
Normally, Michael and Bill will linger around the locker room after a game and then take the team bus to the airport. But their quick exit Sunday was reminiscent of their disappearing act after the final game of the 2003 season. The next day, Dave McGinnis was fired. It’s pointless to rehash all of the reasons Green never lived up to his confident words and arrogant attitude. We’ve been there, criticized that. Instead, as the calendar turns, we’ll look forward, too.
Who will replace Green? Good question. There are rumors, rumors everywhere, from former Cardinals offensive coordinator Jim Fassel, to Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, to Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who no doubt would enjoy a reunion with quarterback Matt Leinart. (No, Pete Carroll is not leaving USC to come to Arizona. He’s not stupid). The truth is, though, the new coach is almost irrelevant. The Cardinals have gone through six coaches in their 19 seasons in Arizona (not counting interim coach Hank Kuhlmann). Each of the six were convinced they could change the Cardinals’ culture. All six failed.
Certainly, Green and Buddy Ryan need to accept a larger portion of the blame for their tenures because they were given the keys to the car. But there is also a fundamental truth that has contaminated the organization from day one:
The Bidwills have poisoned their own well — whether it was Bill’s reluctance to spend money or Michael’s meddling in football affairs.
And this is where it has to stop. The Bidwills have an opportunity to right all the wrongs of the past 19 years.
The Cardinals, despite their 5-11 record, don’t need to overhaul their roster to make the playoffs. Add a cornerback here and an offensive lineman there, and in the watered-down NFL, 5-11 can quickly become 9-7.
But it won’t happen if the Bidwills keep sticking their ownership where it doesn’t belong.
Already, there are reports that Bill Jr., who has been lost in Michael’s shadow, wants to play a greater role in the football operations.
Just what the organization needs. A third Bidwill in the mix.
Look, nothing personal against Bill Jr., or Michael or their father, but a family reunion isn’t going to help the Cardinals next season.
Here’s what needs to be done (and I won’t even ask for a consulting fee): Hire a general manager, then get out of the way. Let the GM make every football decision, from picking the head coach to selecting players in free agency and the draft.
It’s not exactly a novel concept, but it would be something new at the corner of Warner and Hardy.
The Cardinals always have handcuffed their general managers. Larry Wilson, Bob Ferguson and Rod Graves never had complete autonomy to do their jobs. Ferguson, for example, wasn’t kept in the loop about the team’s salary cap situation. Wilson couldn’t extend contracts because that’s something Bill Sr. just didn’t do. And Graves was neutered when Green and his ego came to town.
Doing business the right way hardly guarantees success. Plenty of NFL clubs have the proper working model but haven’t sniffed the Super Bowl. But after 19 years, isn’t it clear the Cardinals’ way doesn’t work? It will be interesting this morning to hear what the Bidwills have to say. At the press conference to announce McGinnis’ firing, Michael Bidwill already had identified four potential replacements who would be interviewed. Let’s hope he hasn’t acted as swiftly this time. Let’s hope he and his father will finally recognize the best thing they can do for themselves, their football team and their fans is to step aside. Enjoy the privileges of ownership. Breathe in the seductiveness of Sundays. Just do it from where they belong. Upstairs.
Contact Scott Bordow by email, or phone (480) 898-6598
By Scott Bordow, Tribune Columnist
January 1, 2007
SAN DIEGO - The seats at the front of the Cardinals’ team bus were empty. Michael Bidwill and his father, Bill, already had left Qualcomm Stadium after the Cardinals’ season-ending 27-20 loss to the San Diego Chargers and were headed back to Tempe on Michael’s private plane.
Related Links
Voices
Arizona Cardinals / NFL
Their first order of business this morning: Fire coach Dennis Green.
There’s little doubt that Green is gone. His words and body language the past couple of weeks suggest he already knows his fate.
The Bidwills seem to already have made up their mind, as well.
Normally, Michael and Bill will linger around the locker room after a game and then take the team bus to the airport. But their quick exit Sunday was reminiscent of their disappearing act after the final game of the 2003 season. The next day, Dave McGinnis was fired. It’s pointless to rehash all of the reasons Green never lived up to his confident words and arrogant attitude. We’ve been there, criticized that. Instead, as the calendar turns, we’ll look forward, too.
Who will replace Green? Good question. There are rumors, rumors everywhere, from former Cardinals offensive coordinator Jim Fassel, to Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, to Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who no doubt would enjoy a reunion with quarterback Matt Leinart. (No, Pete Carroll is not leaving USC to come to Arizona. He’s not stupid). The truth is, though, the new coach is almost irrelevant. The Cardinals have gone through six coaches in their 19 seasons in Arizona (not counting interim coach Hank Kuhlmann). Each of the six were convinced they could change the Cardinals’ culture. All six failed.
Certainly, Green and Buddy Ryan need to accept a larger portion of the blame for their tenures because they were given the keys to the car. But there is also a fundamental truth that has contaminated the organization from day one:
The Bidwills have poisoned their own well — whether it was Bill’s reluctance to spend money or Michael’s meddling in football affairs.
And this is where it has to stop. The Bidwills have an opportunity to right all the wrongs of the past 19 years.
The Cardinals, despite their 5-11 record, don’t need to overhaul their roster to make the playoffs. Add a cornerback here and an offensive lineman there, and in the watered-down NFL, 5-11 can quickly become 9-7.
But it won’t happen if the Bidwills keep sticking their ownership where it doesn’t belong.
Already, there are reports that Bill Jr., who has been lost in Michael’s shadow, wants to play a greater role in the football operations.
Just what the organization needs. A third Bidwill in the mix.
Look, nothing personal against Bill Jr., or Michael or their father, but a family reunion isn’t going to help the Cardinals next season.
Here’s what needs to be done (and I won’t even ask for a consulting fee): Hire a general manager, then get out of the way. Let the GM make every football decision, from picking the head coach to selecting players in free agency and the draft.
It’s not exactly a novel concept, but it would be something new at the corner of Warner and Hardy.
The Cardinals always have handcuffed their general managers. Larry Wilson, Bob Ferguson and Rod Graves never had complete autonomy to do their jobs. Ferguson, for example, wasn’t kept in the loop about the team’s salary cap situation. Wilson couldn’t extend contracts because that’s something Bill Sr. just didn’t do. And Graves was neutered when Green and his ego came to town.
Doing business the right way hardly guarantees success. Plenty of NFL clubs have the proper working model but haven’t sniffed the Super Bowl. But after 19 years, isn’t it clear the Cardinals’ way doesn’t work? It will be interesting this morning to hear what the Bidwills have to say. At the press conference to announce McGinnis’ firing, Michael Bidwill already had identified four potential replacements who would be interviewed. Let’s hope he hasn’t acted as swiftly this time. Let’s hope he and his father will finally recognize the best thing they can do for themselves, their football team and their fans is to step aside. Enjoy the privileges of ownership. Breathe in the seductiveness of Sundays. Just do it from where they belong. Upstairs.
Contact Scott Bordow by email, or phone (480) 898-6598
